Improvement in furnaces for deoxidizing iron ore



' ffii/Wwf 7mm WWNESSES INVEN'TOR UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

ALEXANDER H. BRAINERD, OF.R()ME, NET YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IFN FURNACES FOR DEOXIDIZING IRON ORE.K-V

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 109,173, dated November 15, 1870.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, ALEXANDER H. BRAIN- ERD, vof the city of Rome, in the county of Oneida and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Furnace for the Deoxidation and Purication of Iron Ore; and also, a new and useful combination and arrangement of this deoXidizing-furnace with one or more puddling-furnaces, of all of which the following' is a specification.

Nature and Objects of my Intention.

The first part of my invention relates to such an arrangement and combination of the dues and dampers connected with the deoxidizingcells and puddling-furnaces of my combined furnaces and deoxidizer that the operator of the same may be able to use one or more, or all, the furnaces in connection with any one or` more of said cells, or to use any one or more of the furnaces in paddling, and at the same time prevent the fire and heat from the same passing' through any of said cells, and in such a manner that the fire and heat of one or more of the furnaces may be used independently of the deoxidizer, and yet be passed through the same stack of chimneys, the object of this part of my invention being to control and utilize the heat of the furnaces, and also to utihze the chimney for the purposes of the deoxidizer and furnaces, or of the furnaces.

The second part of my invention relates to the combination and arrangement of a general reservoir and the puddling-fi'irnaces, ues, and ore-cells, in such a manner that all of the heat .from one or all of the furnaces can be collected in said reservoir, and can be distributed therefrom uniformly and gradually, in thin broad iiames, throughout the fines around the orecells, in such a manner as to prevent the fire from burning an d cutting the material composing the sides of the fines and cells, the principal object of this part of my invention heilig to enable me to put as many ore-cells as desirable in the deoxidizer.

The third part of my invention relates to such an arrangement of a boiler or boilers in thc chimney-stack that the surplus heat from the furnace or furnaces, together with the orecells, or from the furnaces alone, may be diboilers, the object of this part of my invention being` to utilize all of the heat not used by the furnaces or bythe deoxidizing cell or cells, thus obtaining a maximum of effect from a given amount of heat.

rlhe fourth part of my invention relates to a mode of lining, if desired, a part or the whole of the inside of one or more of the ore cell or cells, to sustain the expansion of the ore when heated, and to thus prevent the spreading of the inside wall of said cell or cells.

Description 0f Accompanying Drawing.

Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a side elevation of a structure embodying my invention. Fig. 2, Sheet 1, is that end of the samewhich is on the right hand in Fig. l. Fig. 3, Sheet 2, is the other end of the same, which is on the right hand in Fig. 1. Fig. et, Sheet 2, shows the top of my invention. Fig. 5, Sheet 3, is a transverse section of the combined furnace, made at points A A, see Figs. 1, 2, and Fig. 6, Sheet 4, is a vertical section of my combined furnace, made through the center of same at points B B, Fig. 2. Fig. 7, Sheet 5, is a vertical section of the same, made at points C C, Fig. 1. Fig. S, Sheet 5, is the cover ofthe ore-cells and iiues, to be seen by cutting th rough my deoXidiZing-furnace at the points 1) D, see Figs. 6, and 1, 2, and 3. Fig. 9, Sheet 4, is the top of my ore-cells and iiues, showing their relative arrangement when the cover, Fig. S, is removed. Fig. 10, Sheet 5, is a longitudinal vertical section through center of one of the fines, No. 1 or No. 4, which are alongside of the orecells. Fig. 11, Sheet 3, is a side elevation of the inside shell or lining of the ore-cells. Fig. 12, same sheet, is the top ot' this shell. Fig. 13, same sheet, is a section of this shell, showing its interior.

General Description.

In the accompanying drawing, E, H, and K, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7, are puddling-furnaces. M, Figs. 1,2, and 3, is that part of the combined furnace which contains the ore'cells and ues for heating these ore-cells. L, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7, is the lower portion of the chimney-stack. N N', Figs. 3 and 6, are boilrected and imparted to all or some of the said ers passing through or placed in the smokestack. N N, Figs. 2, 6, and 7, are boilers extending over the upper part `of the ore-cells. The presence of these boilers N N is not essential, however, to my invention. P l) P, Figs. 3, 6, 7, S, and 9, are orifices for feeding the ore-cells with ore. These orifices can be placed, if it should be found expedient, at the other end ofthe ore-cells, over the dischargedoors S S S.

S S S (see Figs. 1, 2, 4,5, and 6) are'the doors for discharging ore from the ore-cells. T T1 T2, Figs. 5 and 7, are iiues connecting the interior of the puddling-furnaces E, K, and H with their respectives iiuesVVl V2. VVl V2, Figs. 5, 6, and 7, are iire-iiues connecting the puddling-furnaces with their respect-ive iiues 13, 12, and 14, Fig. 5, or, when the dampers j' and g, Fig. 5, are drawn, with the general reservoir 12, for which see Figs. 5 and 6.

In Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 5, X is a large damper, with an opening, 16, in its center, a section of which is shown in Fig. 5. X, same figures, is a solid damper, sliding by the side of X. IV, saine figures, is a large damper, with an opening, 17, in its center, a section of which is shown in Fig. 5. damper, sliding by the side of W. The ofiice of this da-mper is to prevent or allow the heat from one or more of the furnaces E, H, and K to go up the chimney-stack.

a., l), d., and e (see Figs.Y 2, 5, and 6) are other dampers, to control the direction of the heat in respect to the tlnes 1, 2, 3, and 4, Fie. 7. fand g (see Figs. 2 and 6) are dampers to keep the fires of V1 within reservoir 12, and the lires of V within flue 13, and the fires of V2 in 14, or to unite reservoir 12, with iiue 14, or 12 with 13, or throw 12, 13, and 14 in to one large reservoir. 7L, 71:, l, and m (see Fig. 5) are narrow openings, connecting their respective ues 13, 14, and reservoir 12, with the nues around the orc-chambers. n t r (see Figs. 7 and 9) are the cells or chambers for holding the ore while it is undergoing the process of deoxidizing.

The ore-cells and deoxidizer are constructed of tire-brick made for this special purpose, or other suitable material.

1, 2, 3, and 4 (see Figs. 7 and 9) are passages or flues for the heat, located alongside of the ore-cells n, t, and r. Z, Z1, and Z2, Figs. 6, S, and 9, are fines at that end of the orecells which are above the doors S S S. The ilue Z connects flue 1 and the space in which are the boilers, above the cover of the ore-cells. Flue Z1 connects iiues 2 and 3 with the space above the cover of the ore-cells. Flue Z2 connects `flue 4 and the space above said cover. These iiues Z, Z, and Z2 are separated from each other through their whole extent by partitions, and the heat and iiame in each of said iiues can only unite after passing out of each of said flues into the space 13, Fig. 6, above the cover.

Fig. 8 is the cover, ttin g closely on the top W", same figures, is a solid of the chambers a, t, and r. In this cover, 5 5 5, &c., same figure, are holes or ventilators. 6 61 62 63, same ligure, are narrow openings in the cover over the flues 2 and 3. 64 64 are openings at the side of the cover near the feed-orifices, one 64 being over flue 4, and the other 6u1 over Hue 1. 17, Fig. G, is an air-tight partition over a part of the deoxidizer, to create a proper circulation of the heat between and around the ore-cells. 19, Fig. 6, is a continuation of this partition 17 down into iiues 2 and 3, or, if desired, also into iiues 1 and 2, and giving proper direction to the heat.-

Fig. 10 shows side of iiue No. l or 4, in which side 7 7 7, Snc., are stays or braces to sustain the sides of the ilues. These stays are usually inserted in each flue in any number desired. S, same figure, is a division-piece or partition, to give a desired direction to the iiame passing through the iiue. In lues 2 and 3 there is not only this division piece S, as shown in Fig. 6, but there is also a second piece, 19, Fig. 6, springing from the top of the flue and ruiming obliquely downward and parallel to piece S, to give direction to the draft.

In Fig. 11 is a shell to fit closely within the ore-cell. This shell is of boiler-iron or any suitable material. Itis inserted within the ore-cell to stiifen the sides of such cell, and thus protect them from expansion. Within this shell stays 10 1() 10, Ste., Fig. 13, cross from one side to the other. These stays are used, first, to secure in place the sides of the shell, and, secondly, to resist undue lateral expansion of the heated ore, which would otherwise tend to break out the sides of the orecells. This shell may extend the whole or a part of the distance from the top to the bottom of the ore-cells, or, it' found expedient, may be dispensed with.

Fig. 12 is the top of this lining or shell, in which top 9 9 9, 85e., are holes through the top of the cell for the escape of gas and heated air and the like from the ore wit-hin. 24, Figs. 6 and 12, is a hole or vent which is in each of the ore cells at this point, connecting the ore-cells with its respective iiue, l or 2, 3 or 4. 13, Fig. 5, is a continuation of iue V. 14 (see Fig. 5) is a continuation of flue V2. 12 (see Figs. 5 and 6) is a general reservoir for all the heat from furnace H 5 or, when the dampers f and g are pulled out, then 12, 13, and 14, together form a large reservoir for the heat from the three furnaces E, H, and K. 15, FiO. 10, is an air-tight partition runnin g along the top of the iiue, to prevent the hot air from the side flues 1 and 4from passing directly up into lthe space. 21 is aflue (like which thereis another upon the other side of the furnace) which conveys the heat from the furnaces to flue 22 when prevented from passing around the orecells. 22 is a iiue connecting 2l with ilue 20.

20 is a flue connecting flue 22 with the smokestack, and also affording an outlet to the heat and tlalne when passing between and around the ore-cells7 through flues 1, 2, 3, a-nd 4.

Mode of Operation.

I will vexplain the mode in which my combined furnace operates when all of the puddling-furnaces are in use.

The puddling-furnac'es E, H, and K are first filled with fuel, and with already deoxidized and purified ore; This ore may be mixed with scraps or other old iron, if desired. The fuel in the several furnaces is then lighted, and the process of puddling the deoxidizcd ore begins. The dampers X X' WW being closed, (see Fig. 5,) the ilame and heat of furnace H pass through iiue T2 into V2, and thence into tine 14; that of furnace K through iiue Tl into iiue V, and thence into reservoir 12; that of furnace E through flue T into flue V, and thence into flue 13. While the damper fis closed the heat in line 13 goes directly up through the narrow opening L, and if damper a, Fig. 2, be open, goes directly up into iue 1, Fig. 7. If damper f is opened the heat in 13 distributes itself ,through reservoir 12. The iire in iluc V1 passes into reservoir 12, and when danipers f and g are shut it then passes up into iiues 7c and l. If dampers b and el are open the ire then passes into the lues Zand 3, Fig. 7. If damper d is shut and b is open all of the ire will pass into flue 2. If damper b is shut and d open all the re from this reservoir will pass up into flue 3. l

The re in ue 14, when the damper g is closed, passes up into ilue fm, and, if damper@ is open, then up into the flue 4, Fig. 7. If the damper gis opened the lire in 14 is distributed in part into reservoir 14. This arrangement of dampers enables me to concentrate the fires from one or more, or all, of the furnaceslinto any of the flues. Thus, by'opening'the damper g and closing damper e all of the heat from liuc 14 is thrown into reservoir 12, and thence up into k and l; and if at the same time damper f be opened and damper a. be shut, all the heat in flue 13 is thrown into reservoir 12, and thence up into fluesk and l. If damper d be then closed, all of the heat of the three furnaces will be forced up into iiue It, and thence into line 2; or, if damper b be closed and d opened, all heat will pass up into ue l into iiue 3.

To concentrate the heat upon one of the side tlues, say line 1,l the dampers f and g are opened, 'and dampers 11,61, and c are closed, and damper aI is opened.

To concentrate the heat into flue 4, dampers 4 f g are opened, da1npersa,b, and d are closed,

and damper e is opened.

Enough particularillustrations ofthe method in which these .dampers operate have been' given to exhibit the principleupon which they operate, and to enable a mechanic: to concentrate the heat ofthe furnaces, as desired.

',"We next proceed to consider the method by which `the heat from the furnace is applied to the ore-cells, and the operation of feeding and discharging the ore-cells, and of deoxi dizin g the ore. It is immaterial in this regard whether dampers f and g are open or closed.

' The ore-cells a, t, and o" are filled with ore through the feed-orifices P l? P. (See Figs. 6 and 7.) The danlpers c, b, d, and c are then opened. Theheat and iiame from the furnaces pass up into the iues 1, 2, 3, and 4. l

In either of the side flues, as, for instance, the iiue 4, (see Fig. 10,) there being only one division-piece, S, to control the direction of the heat, the heat will circulate as follows: It first passes up through the iiue m, Fig. 5, through open damper c, Fig. 2, into Hue 4, and then distributes itself throughout the line in the direction shown by the arrows, a part passing around behind the liuc into the long vertical flue Z2, (see also Fig. 9,) and thence passes up said line and out through orifice 30, Figs. 6 and 10, into space 18 above the ore-cells.

Another part of the heat and liame passes up over division 8, and, being prevented from going directly up over into space 1S or chimney by an air-tight partition, 15, passes along until it passes up through 64, Figs. 1() and 8, and also around the end of ore-cell through opening 20, and from thence it passes up around the boilers N' N into the smoke-stack. The heat circulates in a similar manner through side flue 1. The heat circulates through the two middle filles 2 and 3 as follows The heat from reservoir 12 divides and passes up through fines la and l, the heat passing through the open damper b, and thence into line 2. The rest of the heat from the reservoir 12 passing through l, passes up through the open damper d, and thence into iiue 3.

As flues 2 and 3 are constructed exactly alike, a description of how the heat circulates within iiue 2 will suffice for both flues 2 and 3.

The heat passes from reservoir 12 up in to ilue lf, and then through open damper b into iiue 2. It then (Fig. 6)` distributes itself throughout the flue, a part passing olf to the rear of thel ue, and then around into flue Z, thence up through opening 30, Fig. 6, into the space 13 above the ore-cells.

Another part of the heat passes up through the ue over division-piece S, and directly through opening 63 into the space 1S abovev the ore-cells.

Another part of the heat passes down under division-piece 19 and then divides, a part passing directly up around the boiler into the smoke-stack, and a part passing around in front of the ore-cell, and thence through 20 up around the boilers and out into the smokestack.

In describing the circula-tion of that part of the heat of these various 4lines which passed up into the space 18 above the ore-cells I have not stated how this heat found egress. This heat escapes as follows, viz: All the heat gathered in space 18, after delivering a portion of its warmth to the boilers N N, being unable to ypass directly into the smoke-stack on account of the air-tight partition 17', Fig. 6, passes down through openings 6-l and 62 in cover, Fig. 8, and by opening 6 into flue 3, and by opening 62 into flue 2. In both ues2 and 3 the heat then passes down under division 19, Fig. 6. A part of this heat passes directly up through openings G and 62, Fig. 8, around boilers and into the chimney, and a part into flue 20 at the front of the ore-cells, thence np around the boilers 1 N', to which it imparts its surplus heat, and then passesoff vthrough the smoke-stack. It will therefore be seen that the circulation of heatis very complete; that it passes completely around the ore-cells, and, owing to the immense amount of heated surface over which the heat passes, that very little of said heat is Wasted, but almost the whole of it utilized.

The ore-cells are first filled with raw ore, mixed with common charcoal. As the fire passes around the cells lled with ore so mixed, it gradually deoXidizes and purifles the ore. The sulphurous and other gases then thrown oft' from the heated ore pass from the cells through holes 5 5 5, Ste., Fig. 8, and 24, Figs. 12 and 6, in the lower projecting part of shell, and, mingling with the lire passing around and above the cells, ignite, thereby assisting combustion and increasing the heat.

It now remains to describe the operation of the dampers X X' and W W'.

It may be desirable to divert the fire of one or more furnaces from the orecells,and to use the said furnace or furnaces alone. Whenever such is the case the dampers are operated as follows: lo divert the fire of furnace H, it will be necessary to close damper g, Figs. 6 and 7, and also damper e, Fig.2. Damper X' is kept closed While damperXis opened. `The tire offurnace H then, finding no opening in the direction of flue 14, passes through the open damper X', and through V5 out into flue 21, Fig. 6, then out through this line into flue 22, thence into flue 2U, and thence up around the boilers N' N', and out of the chimney.

In regard to furnace E, by closing dam pers f and A and opening damper W and closing damper WV', the iire of furnace E Will pass through damper W' and through V4 out i'lues 21 22 20, up around boilers N' N', and then out through the smoke-stack.

In diverting the fire of furnace K alone, itwill be necessary to close dampers f and g, and also dampers b and d, and to open damper W' fa-r enough to permit an egress for the iire of furnace K, but not so far as to open an egress for fire from furnace E into iue 21, unless that is desired, when, if so, its appropriate damper A must also be closed. The damper X' .may also at the same time be opened the same distance that damper W' is, with like result. The fire of K then passes through its only places of egress past the ends of the open dampers W' and X' into flue 21,

thence into fille 22, into flue 20, thence up :around boilers N N', and out into the smokestack.

To divert the fire of all the furnaces it will be necessary to close all the dampers a b d c, and then open dampers X' W' to their full extent, when the fires ofV alll the furnaces will pass into flue 2l, thence, as before, up through successive fines around the boilers out through the smoke-stack, the heat thus passing out of furnaces through the one smoke-stack of the combined furnace, but Withoutpassingthrough the fines of the ore-cells.

From this short description of the dampers it will be seen that they form a very perfect system, and enable the heat from the furnaces to be controlled and concentrated upon any one or more of the ore-cells, or to'be diverted from the ore-cells and thrown directly up the smoke-stack independently of the ore-cells.

Claims.

I claim- 1. The combination and arrangement ofthe dampers a b d e and the ilues h, k, Z, and m, substantially as described, and for the purposes hereinbefore mentioned.

2. The combination and arrangement of the dampers f and g and the flues l2, 13, and 14, substantially as described, and for the purposes hereinbefore mentioned.

3. The combination and arrangement of the fines V Vl V2 and flues T T1 TZ, substantially as described, and for the purposes hereinbefore mentioned.

4. The combination and arrangement of dampers X with X' and W With W' 5 also the combination and arrangement of the dampers X andA X' or their equivalent with iiues Vl and V2 and flue 21; also, the combination and arrangement of dampers W and W' or their equivalent With iiues V and V and ue 21, all substantially as described, and for the purposes hereinbefore mentioned.

5. The combination of lines 21, 22, and 20 and smoke-stack, substantially as described, and as and for the purposes hereinbefore mentioned.

6. lThe combination and arrangement of flues 21, 22, and 20, substantially as described, and as and for the purposes hereinbefore mentioned.

7 A general reservoir, 12, in connection with one or more furnace-fires, and with or without one or more adjacent dues, as 13 and 14, substantially as described, an d for the purposes hereinbefore mentioned.

8. The combination and arrangement of the lining, Figs. 11, 12, and 13, when made sub-y stantially as described, and the ore-cells for deoxidizing ore, substantially as described, and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth.

9. A chimney, or one or more stacks of chimneys, for both deoxidizer and puddling furnace or furnaces, arranged in such a Inanner that the said'chimney or stacks of chim ncys may be used as a chimney for the puddling furnace or furnaces independently of the deoXidiZer, and Without the lire or heat from the said furnace or furnaces passing through the dcoxidizer, substantially as described.

10. The combination and arrangement of one or more ofthe dampers c, b, d, and e and one or more of the ues 1, 2, 3, and 4 alongside of the ore cell or cells, substantiallT as described, and for the purposes hereiubefore mentioned.

11. The steam generator or boilers N N', 

